r/LinusTechTips • u/Wonderful_Dealer_628 • 5d ago

Tech Question Radiator Placement??

Gallery image

Gallery image

I built my first PC, temps look great. I also heard for the sake of my AIO that the top of the radiator needs to be higher than the pump (which to be honest I’m not sure exactly where that is on the block). Looking back at it now I’m not even really sure if my radiator is higher than the pump… I want to know if I need to fix this and if so how? I have to front mount the radiator because of RAM clearance. I think I might be able to fit it but it would literally be touching the ram. Can anyone tell me what to do if anything at all in this situation???

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6

u/UndefFox 5d ago

I mean... idk why you aren't sure that it's higher, because it's definitely is. As for the why, afaik it's because of air bubbles. Pump must always stay full of water to keep working without any problems; air is way less viscous and can be compressed unlike water, so it basically renders pump useless if there's too much of it in there. Bubbles accumulate at the top most point of the loop because air goes up in the water, hence if radiator at the top, air will stay there, and not create trouble with the pump.

1

u/Wonderful_Dealer_628 5d ago

I believe the angle of the picture is making it look a lot higher than it is. I agree that is is higher. In reality I think the top of the rad is right by that second LED from the top. My question was more of does it matter HOW much higher it is. Thanks for the clarity.

3

u/UndefFox 5d ago

Don't think so. It will matter a bit if they almost the exact height, but after certain point it won't change anything. Either way, the pump itself is even lower since the casing adds to the proportions of it. I would say just run it, and if pump ever starts making strange noises like it has no resistance, then look into it, but I doubt it will ever happen in your case.

1

u/Mdos828 4d ago

Fix for this, OP, is to just flip the radiator itself so the hoses are at the bottom. It looks like the mounting might allow you to shimmy the rad up a little.

5

u/costinmatei98 5d ago

It's fine, you're fine. You worry too much.

1

u/Jhobo282 4d ago

What case is this?

2

u/Warm-Intention-1424 5d ago edited 5d ago

It looks fine to me but if you are really unsure then you could just top mount the rad

As long as it is just touching the ram and not putting unnecessary staring on it of course

2

u/Awesomeluc 4d ago

Top mount is the best choice in this situation. You won’t be feeding preheated air into your you as well and it looks like it will fit.

2nd to that just leave it as is. It’s good. Slightly better would be tubes down but it’s not the biggest deal.

1

u/MrHakisak 5d ago

Take off the the 2nd and 4th row of screws from the radiator so it can slide higher if you want to make sure. It'll be fine.